Organizers hope license reinstatement workshop will help people who had fallen behind

by Courtney Wheaton

Tuesday, February 19th 2019

<p>FILE - Ohio drivers license. (WSYX/WTTE){/p}

DAYTON, Ohio (WKEF/WRGT) - Dozens of people came out to a free license reinstatement workshop at Dayton North Branch Library on Monday.

It’s a part of a bigger six-month initiative started by the state at the end of January to help people get their licenses reinstated. Due to court fees and low income, many people said they wouldn’t be able to get their licenses reinstated otherwise.

The program was created under House Bill 336 and runs until July. People can find the application an information on the Ohio BMV website, but those who needed extra help with the application process came out on Monday.

To be eligible for the program, the applicants must be at least 18 months removed from their suspension period’s end date and must have completed all other court sanctions related to the case.

Organizers said this isn’t for criminals or repeat alcoholics that put people’s lives in danger, but for people who just got behind. They hope this program will help people get back to everyday life without barriers.

“People who get their licenses suspended, they struggle to get to the grocery store, to healthcare appointments and to get to jobs. I mean if we want people to work they must have transportation,” said Bill Dudley with the Miami Valley Organizing Collaborative.

ABC 22/FOX 45 also spoke to a woman who didn’t want to be identified who said she owned more than $1,400 dollars, but she’s happy there’s finally help.